Traditional jazz is often associated with the early 20th century jazz genre that originated from New Orleans. It is typically characterized by its improvisational style, bluesy melodies, and use of collective improvisation techniques. The term "traditional jazz" is sometimes used interchangeably with "dixieland," which refers to a specific style of traditional jazz that incorporates elements of ragtime and brass band music. Other synonyms for traditional jazz include classic jazz, New Orleans jazz, hot jazz, and Dixie. Regardless of the synonym used, traditional jazz remains an important and influential genre that continues to inspire musicians and audiences to this day.